The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-02-03
THE Sentinel charges that an attack

THE Sentinel charges that an attack
all along the line by the democratic press
of the state against the Farmers Insti-
tutes has broken out. A simultaneous
attack of that kind without any precon-
certed plan would prove just what The
Sentinel is most anxious to disprove,
that the Farmers Institute is republican
political machine.
So faras The Pilots share is concerned
in the attack of the democratic press, it
stated that the Institutes are being used
by politicians to curry favor with the far
inner in the interest of their political am
bition. When it was found that Mr.. Es-
tabrook's connection with the law estab
fishing institutes gave him popularity,
there was born in every aspiring polltl-
clan purpose to emulate Mr.. Estabrook's
| action and there is danger that the Instl-
tute will be killed with kindness in the
shape of partial legislation, wholly be-
yond its merits and its needs, and wholly
with reference to the probable favorable
results to the political ambitions of the
persons securing the legislation. This
III substance is what The Pilot charged
and as it is included in the term "demo-
cratic press" it is fair to assume The
Sentinel's remarks apply to it with many
| others.
But as the charge has been made that
the Institute is a republican machine,
The Pilot is willing to swing into line on
that issue. So far as W. d. Hoard,
Hiram Smith and one or two others are
| concerned, no better selections could be
made. Mr.. Hoard's business has made
him authority on the subjects he discus
ses. But is 1t simply a coincidence or
| the result of premeditation that all the
conductors, those resident in this state,
are republIcansl For the Information of
The Sentinel IN this particular the fol-
lowing may not be out of place: a gen
tleman who has had much to do with the
Institute and with selecting its conduct
ors, was in conversation with the writer
one day on the subject of these institutes.
Reference was made to the appointment
OF MIR. Rahr as one of the conductors
The gentleman referred to, forgetting for
the time the politics of the person with
whom he was in conversation, remarked
"He wouldn't have been appointed if it
was known he would become so active a
democrat" What does this Indicate?
The Farmers Institute is a good thing
aud Mr.. Estabrook was wholly unseifish
IN securing the passage of the law Great
ing it. But the reward that came has
directed the attention Of those anxious to
reach some reward of political nature,
to the Farmers Institute.
Iu its presentation to the people the
Institute has all the appearance of an
exhibition. The question and answer
are too much after the manner of the con
versation of the end men in o minstrel
show,-all thought ont previously aud
intended more for display than for the
| benefit of the farmers present. The
thing is run too much on the plan of a
mutual admiration society, and Super
intendent Morrison las more the demean-
or of lobbyist than that of ii sincere in
| structOr of farmers. Not enough fami-
| iIarIty with the agricultural resources OF
| the localities in which institutes are held
| is shown, and much of the work done
| has no reference TO the needs of the per
sons in attendance. Persons with a
hobby are allowed to ride it here under
the pleasing name of Especially" Many
| of the conductors have an Interest in the
work, and what they do has sympathetic
relation to those in attendance. 1t is not
true of all. President Chamberlain is
IN arrogant, egotistlcal and narrow lee
turer who presupp0ses complete iguor-
auce Oh the part of his hearers while as
cribing to himself mastery of the sub
| ject with which he is dealing. His ad
dresses are largely eulogies on self
The Institute stands more in need of a
little wholesome discipline than of in
creased appropriations, and the opinion
may be safely ventnred that the states
men 50 intent upon securing additional
all whereby the efficiency of the Insti-
tute may be increased, know absolutely
nothing of its real workings. 1t is dem
agoguery, and the Institute in seeking
additional all, falsely assumes to repre-
/ sent the farmer, while really seeking aid
| for the individuals managing it AMI who
thus far have derived far more benefit
| from it than have the farmers. No il Ii
| tuition ever grew into worth without hav-
ing suffered correction and if The Senti-
mel had j. structed it's cores ondeut who
reported the institute proceedings to crit
icise when necessary aud not to puff
on every conceivable occasion, the Instl-
tute, feeling that it was observed with
critical eye and that it's fauI S were noted,
| would strive for Improvement and not
| fall into self-worship.
|
THE letter of General Rawlns to Gen
eral Grant during the siege of Vlcks-
burg is a mauly, patriotic and an indie
pendent one. Although it settles the